Jarupong Ruangsuwan was elected the new leader of the Pheu Thai Party, as expected and without competition, during Tuesday's election of the party's new executive committee.

The election was necessitated by the resignation of Yongyuth Wichaidit as party leader.  Mr Yongyuth resigned after he was found by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to have committed malfeasance in office in connection with the Alpine land case.

The term of the executive committee automatically terminated following his resignation.

At today's party meeting, Col Apiwan Wiriyachai proposed Mr Jarupong for the leadership. He was unopposed.

Of the 334 members who attended the meeting, all but two voted for Mr Jarupong.  The other two ballots were invalid.

The election of other executive committee members, including the deputy leaders and secretary-general, was still underway.